In This Life, I Will Be Your Dog - Chapter 121

As things began to rapidly spiral, the torrent that had swelled ever larger swiftly dismantled the seemingly indomitable power of the Empress.

The nobles who had fattened their bellies by clinging to the Empress’s wealth and authority quickly turned their backs on her, and among them, Count Louvre took the lead in purging her family for all to see.

When Ether’s confession brought the hunting festival incident completely to light, the people of the empire and the nobles protesting in the streets pleaded for the Empress to be punished with death—a penalty harsher than dethronement.

In the end, all that remained for the Empress was a hollow title.

Even that, tonight, would be her last.

“How do you feel?”

Bellona, who had come to visit the imprisoned Empress, asked in a deliberately gentle tone.

Though her face had grown haggard in just a few days, Violentia’s eyes still brimmed with venom.

“Did you come to mock me?”

“If that’s how it sounded… then perhaps you’re right.”

The Empress’s twisted expression quickly gave way to a sneer.

“Ha! I disliked you from the moment I first saw you. A mere common knight had no right to look at me that way.”

“And yet, you who wept like a lovesick fool for a common knight dare to still look down on knights.”

“How dare you! You compare yourself to—”

Watching the still-defiant Empress with amusement, Bellona stabbed her with a blade disguised as pity.

“Exactly. How could you drive such a loyal dog to death? Why did you let him waver for another woman? And then, as if that weren’t enough, you left him to die by your own son’s hand… The one who killed Marquis Graeme wasn’t Impes, but you.”

“W-what did you say!”

Violentia shot to her feet, looking ready to attack. Bellona smiled faintly.

“Sit down. I suggest you not test my goodwill. I came out of old time’s respect to see you off properly.”

“Old time’s respect? When did you and I share anything like that?”

Bellona gave a bitter smile as the Empress scoffed.

“Perhaps the current you doesn’t remember, but once upon a time, we rode the same boat for quite a while. Though even then, you were someone who didn’t value people.”

“I haven’t the slightest idea what nonsense you’re speaking.”

“You’re the type to cut off a hunting dog the moment it starts to think.”

“……!”

“So this time too—you cut off Marquis Graeme’s head and boiled it to protect yourself.”

The sneer faded from Violentia’s face.

“H-how do you know that…?”

“Because before you could cut off mine, you said those very words to me.”

“What are you talking about?!”

With a face that turned cold in an instant, Bellona rose and returned the words she could never forget from that miserable day.

“But perhaps you didn’t know—God takes pity even on lowly dogs. So I offered my life to bring down your head. And now, the moment is near. The time for you and me to switch places.”

As Bellona approached slowly with a chilling gaze, Violentia instinctively stepped back in fear.

“Even if God were to reclaim this life of mine, I would have no regrets. But you will never be at peace. Just as I once swore, I will shatter your very soul with my blade.”

“Y-you mad wench! Someone! Is no one there?!”

As she stumbled backward, the Empress tripped on the crumpled carpet and fell in a disgraceful heap.

Standing before her, Bellona looked down with murderous eyes.

“Be thankful for the child in my womb. Were it not for this child, you’d already have been shredded to pieces by my sword.”

“……!”

“But you won’t be alone for long. Impes will soon join you. Try being a real mother to him in the next life, at least. He turned out that way because of you.”

“W-what are you saying!”

“Take Violentia to the underground prison!”

At Bellona’s stern command, the knights outside entered and hauled the Empress to her feet without mercy.

“Let go! How dare you lay a hand on me! Captain of the Guard! Arrest these insolent wretches at once!”

Bellona stepped closer to the struggling Empress and whispered with a stiff face and a faint smile at the corner of her lips.

“Still this foolish, are you? The first to betray you was the Captain of the Guard.”

“……!”

“But as a final courtesy, I’ll send you to where Marquis Graeme died, Your Majesty.”

At Bellona’s nod, the knights dragged the Empress off toward the underground prison where Graeme had died.

“Let go! I must see His Majesty! Summon His Majesty!”

As the Empress shouted to the end while being dragged away, Net hurried to Bellona’s side.

“Your Grace, you don’t look well.”

“I’m fine. What about Mona?”

“She’s nowhere to be seen—must have slipped away already.”

Bellona’s eyes narrowed. “Where is Impes?”

“Sir Akon went to fetch him. He’ll be taken to Count Louvre’s estate soon.”

“And the Grand Duke?”

“He’s likely in audience with His Majesty.”

The Emperor’s decree would soon fall. Then everything would be over.

And yet, even with the long-awaited moment nearly upon her, it didn’t feel real. Perhaps because no one had yet been truly punished.

“Alright. I’ll head back first, so make sure you find Mona.”

“I’ll escort you.”

“No need. Don’t worry and go.”

“…Yes.”

Net answered reluctantly and was just about to leave when Bellona stopped him.

“Net.”

“Yes, Your Grace?”

As she quietly gazed at him, a faint smile formed on her lips.

“Thank you.”

Caught off guard by the sudden gratitude, Net stared blankly for a moment before narrowing his brow, pretending to be annoyed.

“Isn’t it too cruel to draw a line like that now?”

“Now that you know, don’t cross it again. I want to keep treating you well—just like this.”

He looked like he had something to say, his lips parting slightly, but then he straightened up and let out a short sigh.

“At least better than Sir Lycaon.”

“That goes without saying.”

“…I’ll be back. Please get some rest.”

“Alright.”

Only then did Net finally hurry off.

Bellona, casting one last glance at the palace that had lost its mistress, sighed deeply and turned away.

***

As she passed through the Empress’s garden and entered the path leading to the Crown Prince’s palace, the crisp scent of grass tickled her nose.

Taking a deep breath, a soft smile finally returned to her face. Her steps through the overgrown path felt unusually light.

Perhaps it was because this palace, once unfamiliar, now felt as comfortable as her own home.

To clear her mind, Bellona sent the knights elsewhere and walked alone as if on a stroll.

She even wanted to take a break from playing the graceful Grand Duchess in unfamiliar clothes.

Before she knew it, the night breeze had turned cool. It seemed the seasons were changing.

In the past, she’d been so consumed by war and her sword that she didn’t even notice the change of seasons.

Now, as she walked, she instinctively stroked her lower belly. Her face was more peaceful than ever.

This rare sense of calm brought an unbidden smile to her lips. That she could feel so sentimental at such a critical time was absurd, yet not unpleasant.

It felt like taking a walk with the child.

Though the child’s presence still felt unfamiliar, it had gradually become precious. Even Caelus, who hadn’t seemed so thrilled at first, looked more expectant by the day.

What kind of child would they bring into the world?

‘If possible, I’d like it to be a child who takes after him.’

Smiling awkwardly at the thought of how much she’d changed, a rustling sound suddenly reached her ears.

Her face instantly turned cold.

Alertly scanning her surroundings, she sensed a presence behind her. When she turned, a familiar figure appeared.

“Bellona.”

“…Impes.”

He had taken a step toward her but hesitated, then let out a hollow laugh.

“Not bad. Hearing you call my name makes my heart flutter a bit.”

His words sounded calm, but Bellona could tell—he was unstable.

Sir Akon had supposedly gone to retrieve him, so his sudden appearance before her made her uneasy.

Her brows furrowed as she cautiously watched him approach.

In the light cast along the garden path, she saw it clearly.

The man before her was drenched in blood—whose, she didn’t know.

It hit her in an instant.

Something terrible had happened.